As it’s the first of the month, we’re taking a brief moment to remind ourselves of the biggest news stories from the month just closed. What were the headlines that got readers clicking most? Any surprises? Our Top 10 News stories from October 2017 are listed below with summaries and links to read more.

Dusty Springfield fans will love Son of a Preacher Man as the 60s return with Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood on both direction and choreographic duties. Just don’t hold your breath for a thrilling script because a good storyline is something that’s, unfortunately, lacking in this new jukebox musical.

Meera Syal will join the West End company of Annie to play the role of Miss Hannigan from 27 November 2017 for the duration of the run which concludes at London’s Piccadilly Theatre, as previously announced, on 18 February 2018.

Craig Revel Horwood’s adaptation of Sister Act remains faithful to the previous Broadway and West End productions of the show. The musical, taken away from the varying locations of Las Vegas and San Francisco in the 1992 film, is instead set solely in Philadelphia, USA – heightening the danger and the limitations that the play’s protagonist, Deloris Van Cartier.

Son of a Preacher Man today announces that Bad Girls and Coronation Street star Debra Stephenson will create the role of Alison in this heart-warming new musical, joining Diana Vickers in the 2017 tour.

Former X Factor finalist Diana Vickers will create the role of Katy in Son of a Preacher Man, the new musical directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood and based on the music of Dusty Springfield.